365 Days of Wonderful – Day 155
Today I am grateful for Self-Care. I’ve been all consumed with too many tasks and too little time. True to form, I have too many plates spinning, and even as I am gearing up to shift out of some of my commitments I still have lists of things to do in every area. When I feel the crush to-do’s I put myself dead last, and things start to slide.
I went to a conference over the weekend. I’ve been shuffling papers back and forth for a home refinance. I’ve put off doing the dishes, and the laundry is piling up. The yard needs to be mowed, the bills need to be paid, and there is a stack of stuff on the desk that needs filing.
This morning I carved out the time for yoga and a walk. It is amazing how that routine grounds me. I smelled the roses–literally, and enjoyed all the blooms along my route. In the afternoon I took the dog for a mid-day walk at the park, she rolled in the grass and we walked on the beach. I found a lovely shell, that seems unusual for our beaches–it is small so it probably just goes unnoticed. I love the idea that I was present and mindful and since I was moving slower it showed itself to me.
After work I returned home, feeling exhausted, so I ate dinner and snuggled into a nap on the couch–for a luxurious hour. Boy I needed that. When I awoke I felt the crush of to-do;s but got lost in an online course, and when I looked up at 9p, the overwhelm set in–like high tide on a full moon.
I felt anxious and I wanted to cry. It felt like I was going to have a complete melt down… Instead, I opted for Sleepytime tea, dabbed some Serenity oil on my feet and my wrists, and I set to the task of doing the dishes. After the dishes I folded the laundry, filed the stuff on the desk, and cleared off the dining room table. As I glanced around, the house looked in order and I could breathe a sigh of relief. It reminds me that when I feel like things are out of control I find comfort in tidying up. The orderliness helped me to free up emotional energy, and soothe my mood. And made the space for tonight’s blog to emerge.
IF you are feeling stuck, or anxious, or overwhelmed… I advocate completing a task or two, and watch the momentum unfold. For me, when I feel like things are out of control I can fold the blankets and straighten the pillows, and all is right with the world once again. I realize this tidying is a form of Self-Care for me as well.
I am reminded that I want to do less and be more. I want to show up as a version of me that is Grateful Grounded and Good, and Gliding–instead of running, and overwhelmed with too much to do. Let’s sigh it out. Take a big breath in… hold, and let it go with a nice big sigh. Aaaahhhh.
If you have not made a commitment to self-care–this is a perfect time to connect to that. Now is a really great time to make time for Self-Care. Now is really all there is.
__________________ 365 Days of Wonderful – A daily gratitude practice for re-framing life with a slant toward the positive.
I am a Transformational Life Coach. I believe that our heart is our compass, and that our desires steer us towards the life we are meant to live. When we begin to listen to our heart’s song we align to purpose, passion, and meaning.
Sometimes the challenges in our lives are designed to push us in new directions. Sometimes we only hear faint whispers… or experience a yearning that seems unfounded. Sometimes it is sickness, or a health crisis that leads us to pursue inner healing.
It doesn’t matter what the trigger is. The importance is that we listen. The importance is that we tune in. The importance is that we have the courage to face ourselves inside the shadowy places of our lives.
Wherever you are, you are right on track. And I believe that you have all that you need within you.
Blessings! ______________ Individual Inquiry: Have you fallen into the rut of too much to do and too little time? Have you let your self-care routine slip? Do you want to do less and be more? Are you ready to walk slowly and mindfully so that your awareness sharpens and you begin to see small seashells on the beach?